Cat/dog problem!

[thepopela]

Hi, does anyone have any ideas that work, how i can deter a cat/dog (think its a cat) from doing its business on my veg patch???
Seems to happen most nights between 23.00 and 06.00, so throwing things is not an option!
Anyone have any experience with this? Any help most welcomed.
Cheers

[Polly Fouracre]

Can you put netting (pond netting or the like over your patch at night. The cat will soon find someone elses plot to use!

[Two_Sheds]

I do wish people wouldn't leave their cats out at night They're a danger to themselves (traffic) as well as to wildlife

They like bare, raked soil (it's a perfect litter tray) so try not to leave bare ground or, as has been said, cover it with net, or holly leaves or a cat's cradle of black cotton. I'm doing the cat's cradle thing today, because as soon as I planted out my lettuces, a big dump has appeared in the middle of the bed

[Florence Fennel]

I use chicken wire with canes threaded through the edges to make it rigid and I throw this over bare or newly seeded patches of earth, it does keep them off.

[oldie]

As FF I have some frames with chicken wire which are laid over the bed until the plants are established. My kids had a huge rabbit run so I just did a little bit of modification to it once the rabbits had gone.

[Bren In Pots]

I've tried lots of remedies then gave up because they don't work so now I cover my beds with netting and plant sprawling things like courgettes that need a lot of space through weed suppressant fabric.
It does make my garden look a bit messy though.

[sweetiepea]

I use a removeable 'fence' of netting and canes which i place around my beds. It's high enough to deter them, while manageable enough for me to handle.

The neighbours cats weren't detered by netting over the bed and just left their messages on top of, and through it

[SarzWix]

As the suggestions here are excellent, I'm closing this thread before it descends into the usual arguments about violence towards domestic animals

I would also suggest strong smelling things like citrus peels, or old tea-bags soaked in strong essential oils scattered around, as these have been previously mentioned as something that works.